We’re covering some ground today – physically and thematically. Carroll Gardens, Gowanus, and Cobble Hill are a collection of neighborhoods with very different personalities. Deep Italian heritage in Carroll Gardens. Industrial revitalization in Gowanus. Classic Brooklyn row houses and brownstones in Cobble Hill. It makes for a day with a little bit of everything.
“Few people realize East Village staple Ninth Street Espresso has a Gowanus outpost. This kiosk-esque location at Threes Brewing is a fantastic gem to have in the neighborhood. Whether it’s espresso, espresso + milk, or iced coffee, it’s always consistently good. The space gets a ton of natural light, making it an ideal hang to start your day.
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— Ninth Street Espresso
“The reward for crossing the treacherous Gowanus canal is cozying into a corner booth at Black Mountain Wine House. This little bar feels like something you’d find in a moderately sized upstate town, Glen Falls, maybe? They heavily lean into the cabin aesthetic, and I’m here for it — wood-clad, toasty fire pit out front plus a deep selection of wine, all tied together with a tasteful apertivo menu. ”
— Black Mountain Wine House
“There are few lunch items I enjoy more than a Court Street Grocers sandwich. At the time of writing I can’t think of a single thing I want more than an Italian Combo. It’s my tried and true winner — a meaty sandwich with just a bit of brine from an olive tapenade. Don’t sleep on the tuna berry, either. Or a clean turkey on a crusty hero. Court street rocks. Sandwich excellence. ”
— Court Street Grocers
“Say you have evening plans to cook pasta at home?? Then PLEASE pop into Caputo’s Fine Foods to stock up on goods. Man, oh man. It’s the italian grocery store of your dreams. You’ll enter empty handed and slightly overwhelmed. You’ll leave with your arms full of excellent italian specialties, on a first name basis with the staff. ”
— Caputo's Fine Foods
“Popups are where some of the most innovative cooking in NYC is going down. Bad Larry’s is a Brooklyn-based pizza popup often rocking a residency at Other Half Brewing. Their product is one of one. A crisp undercarriage with a doughy, chewy, flavorful crust. Brushed down with herby garlic butter. Finished with parm and pecorino. It’s light and airy. Tastefully charred. Supremely crushable. ”
— Bad Larry's
“I promise I won’t tell anyone you doubled down on pizza. Especially when the slices come from F&F. Partanna with sweet onion and calabrian chiles. Garlicky clam pie. Fluffy, delicious sicilian squares. It’s the slice shop you wish you had on your block. ”
— F&F
“If a crisp pilsner in an unpretentious setting is what you seek, then step into Bar Great Harry. If we’re being honest, this is a pretty standard bar. But I like that they’re not doing “a thing.” Just a simple place with kicking A/C, friendly bartenders, and cold beer. Remarkably, BGH is open til 4am. Not that I’ll be there at 4am. But it’s good to know I could be. ”
— Bar Great Harry
“If there’s a single establishment that captures the feeling of Cobble Hill, it’s June. A charming, cozy, and thoughtful wine bar. Great selection of drinks – cocktails, wine, and a spritz happy hour. Perfect backyard Brooklyn hangs, ideal for pre-dinner. ”
— June
“ My love for Yemen Cafe runs incredibly deep. It’s a down-to-earth restaurant where you’re truly treated like family. Soup, salad, and house bread land on the table without a spoken word. Spiced Yemeni tea is complimentary and self-serve. A lamb-forward approach is appropriate here – slow-cooked lamb haneeth and shredded lamn fahsah. Fair prices, generous portions. High repeatability. ”
— Yemen Cafe
“For a post dinner beverage, you have two excellent options within striking distance. Elsa is sleek and vibrant cocktail bar serving up intricate drinks like “Desert of The Heart” with gin, papaya, amaro, coconut cream, lime, and eucalyptus bitters. One block further is Long Island Bar - a bar that effortlessly walks the line of old school and new school. It’s the classic, cold, strong martinis that keep me coming back. ”
— Elsa
“Public Records needs no introduction. A beautifully designed club with highly curated music programming. 3 main spaces, each with a very different look and feel – upstairs lounge, sound room, and atrium. For a chiller night, upstairs is the move – you can actually make a late-nite res for a booth. Dark, sweaty dancing goes down in the sound room. The atrium falls somewhere in between. Like any music venue, the crowd depends on the DJs – some nights better than others, but I’ve never had a bad time here. ”
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